Kalani Peʻa

About

Native Hawaiian world music singer, songwriter, entertainer, and educator who known for bringing Hawaiian language and culture to a global audience through Grammy-winning Hawaiian music albums. He is especially known for the albums E Walea, No ʻAneʻi, Kau Ka Peʻa, Purple Hawaiian Christmas, and Kuini.

Before fame

He attended the Hawaiian-language immersion school Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu. He moved to the mainland United States for college and attended Colorado Mesa University. He initially planned to major in music but ultimately earned a degree in mass communication. He began releasing professional music independently in the mid-2010s. His debut album E Walea was released in 2016. He won his first Grammy Award in 2017 for E Walea. He won his second Grammy in 2019 for No ʻAneʻi which was released in August 2018. He earned his third Grammy Award in 2022 for Kau Ka Peʻa and followed this with a fourth Grammy win in 2025 for his album Kuini.

Trivia

He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2024 where he became one of the first Native Hawaiian artists to present Hawaiian music at the historic venue through Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers program at Zankel Hall. He was inducted into the Maui Nui Hall of Fame in June 2024. He is credited as the first artist to win both a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year and a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album for the same project for his album E Walea. 

Family life

His birth name is Trazaara Kalani Juanito Peʻa. He was born and raised in Panaʻewa, Hilo, Hawaiʻi. 

Associated with

He and Jake Shimabukuro collaborated on the song "Ka Naʻi Aupuni" in 2024 which was featured on his album Kuini.